NBA draft: 3 chaotic scenarios in the NBA draft lottery
By Duncan Smith
NBA draft lottery scenario 2: Something finally goes right for the Magic
Here’s how our second scenario plays out:
- Orlando Magic (move up four spots)
- Houston Rockets (drop one spot)
- OKC Thunder (stand pat)
- Cleveland Cavaliers (stand pat)
- Detroit Pistons (drop three spots)
The Orlando Magic have been ravaged by injuries and misfortune over the past couple of seasons (decades?) and finally catch a break here. They move up from fifth to first in one of the best drafts in recent history and get the opportunity to draft a real difference-maker in Cade Cunningham.
The Rockets drop, but not precipitously and they’re able to keep their pick. The Thunder stay firmly in third, and the Cleveland Cavaliers also stand pat.
The Detroit Pistons plummet from second to fifth in what is basically par for the course over the franchise’s history in the NBA draft lottery. Of note, it’s worth knowing that the only time the Pistons have ever moved up in the lottery was with the Memphis Grizzlies’ pick. And you know who the Pistons selected with that pick in the 2003 NBA draft? Darko Milicic.
Yup, dropping in this draft is only to be expected for Pistons fans if this is indeed how this plays out.